Political factors have not helped while the mass exits of players and decisions to pick some from offshore, have left an uneasy blend.
Strauss' exit plans make it even more unusual.
If he'd told coach Coetzee his plans pre-season then his elevation to captain seems more strange. It would have made more sense for Coetzee to pick someone such as No8 Warren Whitely for a decent run at the job while Strauss could have been a strong mentor.
If Strauss' decision is a sudden change of plan, then it provokes greater curiosity about the dynamics of the squad. If the hooker has shed his bite for the work and does not want to be involved, what has prompted that change and is it a sign of general uncertainty and malaise about the team's direction?
The Boks are combative up front but have been awkward outside the combative new halfback Faf de Klerk and now injured Ruan Combrinck on the wing.
Five-eighths Elton Jantjes struggles to find a strong pattern for his centres Damien de Allende and Lionel Mapoe and the shape gets more constricted and predictable when Morne Steyn is wheeled from the bench.
The Boks are missing injured backs such as Patrick Lambie and Handre Pollard and have not been able to find the balance of flair and abrasion which the Lions took to new levels this year in the Super series.
One consolation is that next stop is Brisbane and the Wallabies - a side in similar disarray.